Nagi Maehashi, a well-known online cook and author, expressed her distress upon discovering that her beef Wellington recipe became involved in a tragic criminal case. This revelation emerged during the trial of Erin Patterson, who was found guilty of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, along with Heather Wilkinson, while also attempting to murder Ian Wilkinson. The case culminated in a lengthy Supreme Court trial in Victoria, where Patterson, aged 50, denied all charges and has a 28-day window to appeal her conviction.
Reflecting on the situation, Maehashi took to Instagram to voice her concerns, stating that it was upsetting to see one of her cherished recipes linked to such a heartbreaking event. She remarked, “it is of course upsetting to learn that one of my recipes…something I created to bring joy and happiness, is entangled in a tragic situation.” Amidst growing media scrutiny regarding the case, she urged journalists to respect her privacy and refrain from reaching out about the matter.
Patterson admitted in court that she had altered the RecipeTin Eats recipe significantly, using ten beef tenderloin steaks for individual parcels due to a lack of other cuts, substituting filo pastry for the intended crepe, and omitting mustard and prosciutto on account of Ian’s dietary preferences. Unfortunately, the meal led to dire consequences when the Pattersons and Heather Wilkinson suffered severe illness after consuming the dish, which contained toxic death cap mushrooms. Their tragic fates resulted in three deaths, while Ian Wilkinson miraculously recovered after an extended hospital stay.
The case has sparked extensive media attention and raised awareness around the use of recipes in sensitive and legal contexts. Nagi Maehashi, who has also been in the spotlight for accusing another high-profile baker of plagiarising her work earlier in the year, remains resolute in her focus on creating recipes meant to bring happiness, far removed from the gravity of this situation. She concluded her statement, thanking followers for understanding her need for privacy during this challenging time.